The last remaining pub in the Gloucestershire village of Drybrook, the Hearts of Oak, faces an uncertain future after being listed for auction with a guide price of £200,000. The pub, a staple of the community since 1838 and formerly known as the New Inn, has sparked concern among locals who fear a new owner could seek planning permission to convert the building into housing.
Current landlords express their desire to continue running the pub, but a break clause in their lease set for 2028 adds to community anxieties. In response, Drybrook Parish Council has swiftly acted to protect this vital community asset by submitting a bid to have the Hearts of Oak registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). This designation provides a pause on sales, giving local groups up to six months to organize and potentially purchase the pub.
Council Chairman Dave Middlemiss revealed that the auction notice caught many by surprise, including the landlords themselves, who had not been formally informed prior to the sign appearing outside the pub. “What we don’t want is for a developer to buy it and convert it into houses or flats,” Middlemiss said. Highlighting the pub’s role as a community hub, he noted its history of fundraising events and social gatherings that have raised tens of thousands for charity over the years.
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The local community shares fears that losing Hearts of Oak would be another blow to the Forest of Dean’s rural fabric, especially following the redevelopment of other village pubs like the Nelson Arms. Reform UK County Councillor Piers Camp supports the application, emphasizing the importance of retaining community spaces in rural areas threatened by housing development pressures. He reflected on the loss of pubs in nearby villages, calling it a sad trend that diminishes local identity and social cohesion.
Forest of Dean District Council acknowledged the pub’s pivotal place in village life and affirmed its commitment to a thorough, fair assessment of the ACV nomination. They outlined the process, which includes validation, consultation with property owners, and a decision within eight weeks following national guidelines.
Community members eager to support the bid can contact Drybrook Parish Council via email at [email protected] to voice their support and help safeguard the future of this historic pub and community gathering place.